The California State EMS Authority has approved both community paramedicine pilot projects (AlTrans and COMPARE) submitted by the Los Angeles County EMS Agency and developed by the UCLA Center for Prehospital Care. These proposals specifically focus on alternative patient destination and congestive heart failure – 30-day readmissions. All projects must be locally financed.

Community paramedic medicine seeks to expand the scope of practice for paramedics who undergo enhanced training through a new and evolving model of community-based health care. The goal is to facilitate more appropriate use of emergency care resources and enhance access to primary care. There is growing interest in this model of care given the potential to improve access and quality.

The EMS Authority will now forward the approved projects to OSHPD for final approval, which is expected in April 2014. OSHPD will conduct hearings and accept public comment in February 2014.

Contact Jaime Garcia at jgarcia@hasc.org with questions.